What is bullying?

Definitions

It is essential to use the definition of bullying / harassment appropriate to the complaints procedure. If your employer has an anti-bullying, anti-harassment or dignity at work policy then find the definition and use it. Your company may also have a harassment contacts programme or informal dispute programme with similar guiding defintions.

Workplace bullying is repeated inappropriate behaviour, direct or indirect, whether verbal, physical or otherwise, conducted by one or more persons against another or others, at the place of work and/or in the course of employment, which could reasonably be regarded as undermining the individual’s right to dignity at work. An isolated incident of the behaviour described in this definition may be an affront to dignity at work but as a once off incident is not considered to be bullying. (As defined in the Report of the Task Force on the Prevention of Workplace Bullying – published by the Stationery Office, March 2001)

5. For the purpose of this Code of Practice the definition of workplace bullying is as follows:
“Workplace Bullying is repeated inappropriate behaviour, direct or indirect, whether verbal, physical or otherwise, conducted by one or more persons against another or others, at the place of work and/or in the course of employment, which could reasonably be regarded as undermining the individual’s right to dignity at work. An isolated incident of the behaviour described in this definition may be an affront to dignity at work but, as a once off incident, is not considered to be bullying.”

UCC:
14. Bullying, whilst not defined in legislation, can have serious effects on the health and welfare of recipients and is therefore regarded as a workplace risk and legislated for under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act. The Health and Safety Authority defines bullying as repeated inappropriate behaviour, direct or indirect, whether verbal, physical or otherwise, conducted by one or more persons against another or others, at the place of work and/or in the course of employment, which could reasonably be regarded as undermining the individual's right to dignity at work. An isolated incident of the behaviour described in this definition may be an affront to dignity at work, but as a once off incident is not considered to be bullying. Many conflicts and interpersonal difficulties should be dealt with through appropriate industrial relations and complaint channels.
Common bullying behaviour includes, but is not limited to:
x Unreasonably blocking someone’s progress or advancement
x Persistent picking on someone
x Manipulation of someon’es reputation
x Manipulating the nature of someone’s work or the ability of someone to do their
work (e.g. overloading, withholding information, setting meaningless tasks)
x Social exclusion or isolation
x Constant criticism, preventing someone from speaking, shouting, public
reprimands, rages over trivialities or insults
x Unwanted physical contact, physical abuse or threats of abuse to an individual or
an individual’s property
x Undermining an individual’s work or self-esteem
http://www.siptu.ie/print/SupportServices/Anti-Bullying/
Examples of Bullying
The following is an illustrative list of offensive behaviours:
humiliation, intimidation, verbal abuse, victimisation, exclusion and isolation, intrusion by pestering, spying and stalking. Repeated unreasonable assignments to duties that are obviously unfavourable to an individual. Repeated requests giving impossible deadlines or impossible tasks, implied threats, taking credit but not blame.